Clutch and brake mechanism



May 29, 1951 n. A. JoHNsoN CLUTCH AND BRAKE MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 5, 1947 l l l I I (l l May 29, 1951 n. A. JQHNsoN 2,554,573

CLUTCH AND BRAKE MECHANISM Filed Nov. 5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @aj/MM May 29, 951 D. A. JoHNsoN l 2,554,573

CLUTCH AND BRAKE MECHANISM Patented May 29, 1951 CLUTCH AND BRAKE MECHANISM David A. Johnson, St. Joseph, Mich., assignor to Nineteen Hundred Corporation,

St. Joseph,

Mich., a corporation of New York Application November 5, 1947, Serial No. 784,109

12 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a selectively engageable clutch and brake mechanism.

In one type of automatic laundering machine a clothes tub is mounted on a hollow shaft and an agitator supported within the tub from a shaft coaxially mounted relative to the first shaft. When it is desired to wash or rinse clothing contained in the tub, the inner shaft is rotated while the outer shaft is held stationary. In one type of machine, for example, rotations of the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft cause wobbling movements of the agitator. When it is desired to dry clothing contained in the tub, both shafts are rotated to rotate the clothing and create centrifugal forces to drive the water out of the clothing.

In the foregoing type of laundering machines, a drive mechanism selectively operable to drive either the inner shaft or both shafts is required. Moreover, it is desirable that the driving engagement with the inner shaft be through a friction clutch capable of slipping to the end that overload of the drive mechanism is avoided if the tub contains water or is otherwise overloaded at the time the outer shaft is driven. Furthermore, the drive mechanism should brake the tub when the inner shaft is rotatingto avoid movements of the tub in sympathy with the movements imparted to the agitator.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide an improved drive mechanism for a laundering machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved clutch and brake mechanism operable selectively to drive or brake a pair of concentric shafts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved drive mechanism particularly adapted to drive a laundering machine of the type having a clothes tub and a wobble plate agitator mounted therein.

Further it is an object of the present .inventionY to provide an improved laundering machine having a drive mechanism selectively operable to cause clothes washing or rinsing movement in one condition and to cause clothes drying movements in. another condition.

Yet another object of the present invention is o provide an improved drive mechanism for a laundering machine and in which vibrations imparted to the shafts supporting the tub and agitator are isolated from the source of driving power.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved drive mechanism having features of construction, combination and arrangement rendering it simple and inexpensive in construction and reliable in operation to the end that a unit of maximum utility is provided.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention, itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation will best be understood by reference to the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure l is an axial cross sectional view of a laundering machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and showing portions of the mechanism in side elevation;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary axial cross sectional view showing the clutch and brake portion of the present invention;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are cross sectional views through the axes III-III, IV-IV and V-V, Figure 2, respectively;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the clutch band used in the present invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view through axis VII-VII, Figure l and showing the snubbing arm support structure in top plan View; and

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the snubber arm support structure.

As shown on the drawing:

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown at H a housing defining a clothes laundering tub T and a lower chamber M to contain mechanical drive and support elements. The tub T contains a clothes tub ID and a wobble plate agitator l2 which are mounted for actuation by shafts I4 and I6, respectively. These shafts are vertically directed and extend downwardly to the drive mechanism shown generally at I8 and-which is disposed within the lower chamber M.

The mechanism' contained within the tub T is like that described and claimed in the cepending application of George C. Fields, entitled Wobble Plate Laundering Machine, Serial No. 784,135, filed November 5, 1947, now Patent No. 2,502,372, issued March 28, 1950, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Briey, this mechanism includes a clothes tub lu of generally cylindrical shape having imperforate sides and enlarging progressively to increased cross-sectional area at the top. A cap 25 is shaped to fit snugly over the top of the tub l0 and is shaped to extend inwardly thereover. rIhis cap is provided with a plurality of openings 22 through which water may pass into the tub T when the tub Ill is rotated at sufficient velocity.

At its bottom portion Sila, the tub lll extends inwardly and defines a circular opening having a depressed cupped lip portion Elib. A ring 24 having an annular opening is seated above the edge of this .opening to define asomewhat toroidal cavity inconjunction ywith the lip portion iilb of the tub lll. This cavity receives the enlarged peripheral portion 26a of the exible waterproof boot 26. The ring 24 is held in place against the lower portion Illa of the tub I Icy-a plurality of spaced bolts 28 which are shown in elevation.

in Figure 1.

A cup-shaped member 3B having an outwardly extending ange portion 3Sa is held on the under side of the bottom Illa of the tub it 'bythe bolts 28. This member is supported on the collar :32, being attached thereto -by welding or other suitable means. This vcollar ts snugly over the outer Qr'tub shaft I4 and sustains the tub lil in position. It further supports the shafts I 4 and I6 relative to each other by reason of the bearing 34 which has its outer race mounted on collar 32 and its innerrace on the shaft 36 which in .turn is mounted on shaft I6.

The shaft 36 is bent as indicated in Figure 1 V and is provided with a cylindrical cavity 36a to fit snugly on the end of the shaft i6. At its upper end, shaft 36 mounts the inner race of the ball v.bearing 38. The outer race of this bearing is mounted in the cylindrical cavity formed in the vhub portion 40a of the lower plate 'it of agitator The lower plate 40 of agitator I2 is of circular shape and at its outer periphery is shaped to form a seat for the enlarged upper .peripheral portion 26h of the boot 26, this seat being indicated at 4Gb. A ring 42 is mounted upon the vupper surface of the outer periphery of the plate 40 by a plurality of spaced bolts 44. This ring extends .to the periphery of the plate '40 and vextends downwardly thereabout to delinea somewhat toroidal cavity to receive the enlarged upper peripheral portionZGb of the boot 2S.

The upper portion 4S of the agitator l2 is held to the lower plate 40 by suitable attaching bolts A(not shown). This yportion of agitator .I-2 is shaped to form a surface.flavsubstantially parallel to the lower plate 40 and `a centrally disposed dome 48 in alignment with the axisvof-.the bent portion of shaft 36. In addition, ribs D and .52 `are formed bythe member 56. The ribs 50 arerelatively short and extend a relatively great vradial distance from the dome 48 whereas the ribs 52 arerelatively high and extend only a short radial distance from the dome 48. 'Three ribsof each type lare provided and they are positioned atfequal angular spacings. about the dome 4.8, Ythe ribs being interleaved so that each rib 50 is ad- Yjacent to .two ribs 52 and vice versa.

`The lowerportion or bottom of tub .T is defined .by the horizontally disposed plate 54 whchhas r51...centr'ally disposed opening to receive the tube 156. In addition, the plate 54 is provided withra .drain opening Sil-disposed in a depressed sump .portion 58a. This opening is connected to -a .drain (not shown) to drain water collecting .in

.the bottom of the tub T.

.In the operation of the abcve-describedl mechanism, clothes are first placed in the `tub ill and .the tub filled with Water. The inner shaft I6 is .then rotated while the outer lshaft i4 is held .against rotation. This causes the agitator .l2 to tilt about .different axes as the shaft 361 rotates,

ear-ea Y with increased height.

thereby imparting wobbling movements to the entire agitator I2. The agitator does not rotate because the boot 26, together with the clothes and water in the tub, overcome the friction in the bearing 38. These wobbling movements imparted to the agitator l2 cause the clothes in the tub to execute clothes Washing movements, and the shaft |16 is rotated for a period of time sufficient to clean the clothes.

When the clothes have been washed, the shaft I 4 is rotated with shaft I6. At this time the entire tub il!! rotates and the water therein is driven by centrifugal forces .to the outer wall of the tub HJ. ,As therotational velocity increases the water climbs up the wall since the tub I0 is a tapered tub with progressively increased cross sectional The water eventually reaches the openings 22 where it splashes out and is drained through the opening 58 of the tub T. As further rotation of the tub l0 takes place, the water contained in the clothes is driven out by centrifugal force and is forced out of the tub I0 through the openings 22.

During rinsing and subsequent drying Aoperations, the foregoing cycle is repeated, Vthe tub being filled with water and the shaft i6 rotated to rinse the clothes and the shafts i4 and I6 being simultaneously rotated to free the tub of water and .to dryY the clothes.

The .operation of the foregoingportions of the mechanism is described in .detail and claimed in `the copending application of George C. Fields entitled Wobble Plate .Laundering Machine, :Serial No. 784,135, filed November 5, 1947, and assigned to the same assignee las the presentinvention.

The mechanism whereby shafts I4 and I6 are selectively driven and shaft lli is braked is indicated generally at I8, Figure 1. An enlarged cross sectional view of this portion of the mechanism is shown in Figure 2. As shown in the latter fview,

the shaft l5 seats in an upper cylindrical Opening '50a in the collart. This collar is of cylin drical shape and has a lower cylindrical opening b in its bottom portion. Thisopening receives the resilient cup-shaped'insert 62. Insert 62 receives the cap 54 which is fittedon the lower shaft '65. The cap 54 is held for rotation with the shaft '56 by the pin68.

The shaft '616 sustains the weight of the tub, agitator, clothes, etc., Iand is held in position by the bearing lll. This bearing consists of two separate ball bearing portions lila and lub, each having its inner race press fitted on the shaft 66 and its outer race tted on the sleeve l2. 'I'he sleeve 'l2 is held in position by the upstanding dome 'I4 vwhich has a flange '32a welded or otherwise Yattached to the upper surface 'lea of the dome 16. The surface 15a of lower dome 'I6 is shaped Asnugly to receive the lower portion of sleeve '12. The dome 'I6 isprovided with a lower flange 'Ib which is attached to the lower sup-- port plate le of the housing I-I. The dome I6 is: attached to the wall of housing I-I by the .ears 'I-l..

A pulley 80 is mounted on the lower portion of.l

l the shaft 66 to receive a belt 8! connected to the drive mechanism for the assembly. This drivel mechanism may, 'for example, comprise an electric motor (not shown), connected to automatic switch elements that energize the motor for rotation whenever it is desired to wash, rinse or dry tub I0 or agitator I2 to provide selective washing, rinsing, or drying movements.

The operation of the mechanism of the present invention will best be understood by reference to the cross sectional view of Figure 2. As indicated, theouter or tub shaft Id is terminated at its lower end by the inner collar 82 of the brake and clutch drum l84. The iiange portion 82a of this collar is attached to the drum 84 by `welding or other suitable method. This Icollar is press-fitted to the outer race of the ball bearing 86 at its lower end, the inner race of this bearing being supported on collar 50. The collar 60 is of cylindrical shape and is formed to define ra shoulder 60e against which the inner race of this bearing rests to support the tub |0 from the collar E0. A grease retaining washer 6I is interposed between the outerl and inner races of bearing 8'5 to hold grease therein.

A sleeve S0 having an outwardly extending ange surrounds the collar 50 in the region irnmediately below the shoulder 60e and is separated therefrom by the bearing sleeve 94 which permits relative rotation between the sleeve 90 and the collar 6&3. Sleeves 90 and 94 ride in a section of reduced diameter of collar 60 formed by the shoulder 60e. A. coil spring 88 surrounds the lower portions of the collar B0 and extends up to the plate 92 which rests underneath the flange portion 90a of the sleeve 30. At its lower end the spring 38 is supported by the catch plate 96 which is supported from the collar 60 by the washer 98 and the snap ring I 00, the latter riding in the peripheral groove 60d of the collar 60.

As is best shown in the cross sectional view of Figure 5, the catch plate 9E is provided with a pair of upstanding portions 96a which receive the radially extending end `88a of the spring *88 to prevent rotation thereof relative to the plate 196.

As shown in the figures, the spring 88 is made of coiled wire having a rectangular cross section to yachieve a large area of contact with the outer surface of the collar @il and the sleeve 90. Moreover, this spring is constructed to assume ya condition of diameter smaller than the collar 60 :and the sleeve `9|) when in the unstressed condition. Thus in the unrestrained condition this spring grips these members and provides a driving engagement from collar 50 to the sleeve 80. The spring 88 is placed on the collar 60 by first unwinding it to an extent suiiicient to open it to a diameter greater than that of collar 60 and holding it in the unwound condition while slipping it over that collar. The spring is then released and winds to grip the collar 100 and the sleeve 9|).

When the arm |02 is held in the position indicated in the solid lines of Figures 2 and 5, it engages the edge 96h of the plate 96 and the end 88a of the spring 88 is held against rotation. However, when the collar til is driven in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow |04, and the arm Iia is in a dotted position shown in Figure 5, the plate S6 will be free to rotate and frictional engagement of the collar 60 with the spring 88 will cause the latter to unwind and hence to grip and rotatably drive the sleeve 90.

The outer shaft |4 is connected to the plate 92 through the upwardly extending portion 92a of that plate and the drum 34. This portion of the mechanism can best be understood from Figure 4 which is a cross sectional view through the axis IKT-IV, Figure 2. As indicated, the arm 92a 0f the plate 92 extends upwardly and axially relative to shafts I4 and I6 and is provided with an opening through which the screw |06 extends, this screw being held at its opposite end by the nut I 05a. Intermediate between the nut |06a' and the head of screw |06 is mounted a washer |08, a collar I le, and the wrapped over or looped end portion I I2a of the clutch band I I2.

The clutch band H2 is provided with a bifurcated end portion I |2b which is best seen in the developed plan View of Figure 6. This portion is received about the collar ||0 as indicated in Figures 2 and i and thereby holds the clutch band ||2 `about the drum 84. A clutch shoe I I4 is interposed between the drum 84 and the band |I2 to provide a good frictional engagement and a suitable wearing surface between these parts. A coil spring IIS is hooked at its opposite ends to the washer |83 and the band ||2 and acts to hold the band |I2 snugly against the drum 84. The frictional engagement between the shoe ||4 and the drum 813 is adjusted by varying the tension of this spring.

When the plate 82 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow I I6, the band IIZ is pulled about drum 04 from its looped end II2a. This band thereby tends to wrap itself about the drum 84 and supplement the action of spring I I3.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the arm |@2a is in the position indicated in the solid lines of the gures, the spring 88 is unwrapped and there is no significant driving action between the collar 60 and the shaft I4. On the other hand, ii" the spring 88 is released to wrap itself about the sleeve 920 and thus cause the plate 92 to rotate, the shaft I4 is driven through the clutch band i l2 which rides on the drum 84.

The position of the arm I02d of member |02 is controlled by the solenoid Iig which is shown in elevational view in Figure 2 .and top plan view in Figure 3. This solenoid is mounted on the bracket |2 by welding or other suitable methods, which bracket has its arm |2011, attached to the sleeve |22 by welding or other suitable means. A plunger |24 of magnetic material is mounted within the solenoid I I8 and extends therefrom to receive the spring |25. The latter is held relative to the plunger |24 by the pin |24a which engages the hooked end portion thereof. At its opposite end the spring |28 is received in the opening |28a of the crank arm |23. A coil spring |29 has one end hooked over the 'edge of the bracket |32 and the opposite end hooked over the crank .arm |23, thereby urging the crank |28 against the pull of plunger |24.

The crank arm |28 is received in the sleeve |30 and engages the end |0219 of the shaft |02 to rotate that shaft about the axis through the sleeve I 30. The sleeve I til is ixedly supported by the bracket |32 which has its upstanding end portion |32a welded or otherwise held in engagement with the sleeve |22.

From the foregoing it will be evident that when the solenoid I is energized to draw the plunger I 24 into the position shown in Figure 3, and thus to rotate crank arm |23, the shaft |02b is rotated within the collar |36 and swings the arm |0211 to the engaging position relative to the catch plate 96 as indicated in Figure 5. On the other hand, when the solenoid I i8 is deenergized and thus exerts no force against plunger |24,

lthe spring |29 unwinds to rotate the crank |30 and swing the arm |5211 outwardly. The arm |020; is thereby swung to the position indicated by the dotted lines of Figure 5 and does not engage lthe disk 06, thus permitting-thespring 8 0 to wind freelyand wrap-itself-about the collar 00.

Thearm |02a is vprovided with .a block |03 of rectangular -cross-section to provide a positive engagement with the edge 96D of catch plate 96.

In addition to controlling the driving engagement of shaft I4 through the spring 80, energizationof solenoid IES-controls the braking of that shaft. This operation is achieved by the brake band |34 which is wrapped around the upper portion of the drum 84 and is held to th-e shaft |02 at its wrapped looped end portion |34a. The "opposite looped over end portion I34b of band|34 vis wrapped about the downwardly extending arm |36 which is supported from the bracket |32 by welding or other suitable means. A brake shoe |38 is interposed between the band |34 and the drum 84 to provide a good friction and wearing surface.

When the solenoid IIB is energized to cause plunger |24 to pull crank arm |28 to the position shown at Figure 3, the central portion of the arm |02 is swung in direction to tension the brakel band |34 and thus cause braking engagements between that band and the drum 84, thereby opposing rotation of the shaft I4.

On the other handy when the solenoid IIB is deenergized, the shaft |02 is swung about the axis of sleeve |30 by spring |29 and thereby releases the band |34 to permit the drum 84 to ride free of that band. l

The sleeve |22 upon which brackets I 20 and |32 are supported, is provided with a flange I 22a, Figure l, upon which are mounted the two crossed supporting and snubbing plates |40 and |42. Each of these extends between opposite support brackets |44 mounted at opposite corners of the housing H. The sleeve |22 is held against the outer shaft I4 by a suitable sleeve bearing |48.

The construction of the supports for the plates |40 and |42 may best be understood by reference to Figures 7 and 8 which show in top plan and side elevation the attachment of one end of the plate |40. As will be evident from these views, a friction plate |46 of suitable brake lining material is interposed between the plate |40 and the bracket |44. A bolt |41 having a washer head' portion |4'Ia extends through suitable openings provided in the plate |40, the friction plate |46, and the bracket |44. The coil spring |45 is received at one end in an opening in the bolt |41 and at the opposite end is received in a slot |40 in the leg portion of the housing H and acts to urge member |40 against the friction plate |46.

Since the plates |40 and 42 frictionally oppose lateral vibrations of the shafts I4 and i6, they act as snubbing or damping elements to limit the magnitude of these vibrations.

The resilient insert B2 interposed between the collar 60 and the stub shaft 50 is made of rubber or similar material. This insert acts to isolate the stub shaft from any vibratory movements imparted to the shafts 'I4 and IS and thus supplements the action of the snubbing plates |40 and |42 in limiting the vibration imparted to the shaft 66. It further acts to transmit power to and allow rotation of the shafts I4 and I0 even though collar B0 is misaligned with stub shaft 66 due to unbalanced loads in the tub.

The friction or clutch drive by which the shaft I4 is rotated from the shaft 66 when the sole- -noid |I8 is energized permits the tub II) to be brought up to speed even though it contains water and even thoughthe drive mechanism attached to pulley 80 is of limited torque capacity.

lThis results from the fact that if predetermined creases until when these two speeds are equal aV direct drive is obtained.

The insert 02 interposed between the collar 50 and the shaft 68 acts as a vibration isolating device to isolate the periodic or vibratory forces associated with an unbalanced load in the tub I 0 from the pulley 80 and the support structure of the housing H.

During the time the clutch formed by drum 84 and band IIZ is slipping, the shaft I6 rotates relative to shaft I4. However, this does no harm since this relative rotation merely causes the agitator I2 to execute wobbling movements.

In the accompanying claims I have used the term cylinder to indicate a part having a cylindrical surface such as, for example, the sleeve 90 and the collar 60, Figure 2. Y

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications both in the elements employed and their cooperative structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I, of course, contemplate by the appendedclaims to-cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1, In Ya drive mechanism in combination, a drum to be rotated or braked, a pair of adjacent cylinders of like diameter mounted coaxially with said drum, means to rotate one of said cylinders in predetermined direction, a coil spring tending in the unstressed condition to assume a conguration of smaller diameter than said cylinders and mounted to encircle said cylinders, whereby one end of said spring may be held against rotation to unwind said spring and release the driving engagement between said cylinders, a member having an arm extending in the axial direction relative to said drum and mounted for rotation with the other of said cylinders, a clutch band wrapped about said drum and attached at one end to said arm to cause said band to tighten about said drum when said arm is rotated in said predetermined direction, a brake selectively engageable with said drum, and elements simultaneously to engage said brake and engage said end of said spring, whereby said spring is unwound and said cylinders are released when said brake is engaged and said spring is released and said drum is driven when said brake is released.

2. In combination in a drive mechanism, for a drum to be selectively rotated or braked, a pair of adjacent cylinders of like diameter mounted coaxially with said drum, means to rotate one of -said cylinders in predetermined direction, a coil spring tending in the unstressed condition to as- Y sume a configuration of smaller diameter than 3'. In combination in a drive mechanism, a

drum to be selectively rotated or braked, a pair of adjacent cylinders of like diameter mounted coaxially with said drum, means to rotate one of said cylinders in predetermined direction, a coil spring tending in the unstressed condition to assume a configuration of smaller diameter than said cylinders and mounted to encircle said cylinders, whereby one end of said spring may be held against rotation to unwind said spring and release the driving engagement between said cyl- `f inders, a member having an arm extending in the axial direction relative to said drum and mounted for rotation with the other of said cylinders, a clutch band wrapped about said drum and attached at one end to said arm to cause' said band to tighten about said drum when said arm is rotated in said predetermined direction, a brake band mounted about said drum, a support arm attached to one end of said brake band, and a crank arm extending in an axial direction relative to said drum and attached to the other end of said brake band selectively to tighten said brake band, said crank arm extending axially of said drum to engage the other end of said spring when rotated to tighten said brake band, whereby said spring is unwound and said cylinders are released when said crank arm is rotated to tighten said brake band and said spring is released and said drum is driven when said crank arm is ro-` tated to release said brake band.

4. In a selective drive mechanism, a pair of concentric driven shafts including an inner shaft and an outer shaft, said mechanism including a drum mounted on said outer shaft, a collar secured to said inner shaft, a sleeve mounted concentrically with said collar and adjacent thereto, means to rotate said collar and inner shaft, a coil spring tending in the unstressed condition to assume a configuration of smaller diameter than said collar and mounted to encircle said collar and said sleeve, means holding one end of said spring against rotation to unwind said spring and release the driving engagement between said sleeve and collar, a member having an arm extending in a radial direction relative to said drum and mounted for rotation with said collar, a

clutch band wrapped about said drum and at-4 tached at one end to said arm to cause said band to tighten about said drum when said arm is rotated in said predetermined direction, whereby said outer shaft is selectively driven or released when said end of said spring is released to permit said spring to tighten about said collar and said sleeve, and said drum is released when said end of said spring is held :against rotation to unwrap said spring.

5. In a selective drive mechanism, a pair of concentric shafts including an inner shaft and an outer shaft, said mechanism including a drum mounted on said outer shaft, a collar secured to said inner shaft,` a sleeve concentric therewith, means to rotate said collar and inner shaft, a coil spring tending in the unstressed condition to assume a configuration of smaller diameter 10 than said collar and mounted to encircle said collar and sleeve, means holding one end of said spring against rotation to unwind said spring and release the driving engagement between said co1- lar and sleeve, including a member having an arm extending in a radial direction relative to said drum and mounted for rotation with said sleeve, a clutch band wrapped about said drum and attached at one end to said arm to cause said band to tighten about said drum when said arm is rotated in said predetermined direction, a brake band mounted about said drum, a support arm attached to one end of said brake band, a crank arm extending in an axial direction relative to said drum and attached to the other end of said brake band selectively to tighten said brake band, said crank arm extending axially of said drum to engage the other end of said spring when said crank arm is rotated to tighten said brake band, whereby said spring is wound and said sleeve is released when said crank arm is rotated to tighten said brake band and said spring is released and said drum is driven when said crank arm is rotated to release said brake band.

6. In a laundering machine of the type having a clothes tub mounted on an outer vertical shaft for rotation therewith and having an agitator disposed in said tub for movements therein and supported on an inner vertical shaft disposed coaxially with said rst shaft, a mechanism comprising elements to support said inner shaft and operable to rotate said shaft, a bearing mounted to sustain said outer shaft from said inner shaft,

and control mechanism selectively operable to drive said outer shaft from said inner shaft or to brake said outer shaft, said mechanism including a clutch interposed between said inner shaft and said outer shaft to limit the torque exthe lower end of said inner shaft and extending below the end of said outer shaft, means to rotate said collar in predetermined direction, said collar having a portion of cylindrical shape, a sleeve of diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said collar mounted for rotation relative to said collar and in abutting relation with said portion thereof, an arm mounted for rotation with said sleeve and extending axially of said shafts, a coil spring tending in the unstressed condition to assume a configuration of smaller diameter than said sleeve and mounted to encircle said portion of said collar and said sleeve, whereby one end of said spring may be held against rotation to unwind said spring and release the driving engagement between said collar and said sleeve, a drum mounted on said outer shaft, a clutch band wrapped about said drum and attached at one end to said arm to cause said band to tighten about said drum when said arm is rotated in said predetermined direction, whereby said outer shaft is driven when said end of said spring is released to permit said spring to tighten about said collar and said outer shaft is released when said end of said spring is held against rotation to unwrap said spring.

8. In a laundering machine of the type having a clothes tub mounted on an outer shaft for rotation therewith and having an agitator disposed in said tub for movements therein and supported on an inner shaft di'SpOSed coaxially with said first shaft, a mechanism comprising a collar on the lower end of said inner shaft and extending below the end of said outer shaft, means to rotate said collar in predetermined direction, said co1- lar having a portion of cylindrical shape, a sleeve of; diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said collar mounted for rotation relative to said collar and in abutting relation with said portion thereof, an arm mounted for rotationA with said sleeve and extending axially of said shafts, a coil spring tending in the unstressed condition to assume a coniguration of lsmaller diameter than said sleeve and mounted to encircle said portion of said collar and said sleeve, whereby one end of said spring may be held against rotation to unwind said spring and release the driving engagement between said collar and said sleeve, a drum mounted on said outer shaft, a clutch band Wrapped about said drum and attached at one end to said arm to cause said band to tighten about said drum when said arm is rotated in said predetermined direction, a brake band mounted about said drum, a support arm attached to one L end of said brake band, a crank arm extending in an axial direction relative to said drum and attached to the other end of said brake band selectively to tighten said brake band, said crank, arm extending axially of said drum to engage the e other end of said spring when said crank arm is rotated to tighten said brake band, whereby said spring is unwoundV and said outer shaft is released when said crank arm is rotated to tighten said brake band and said spring is releasedy and said outer shaft is driven when said crank arm is rotated -to release said brake band.

9. In a laundering machine of the type having a, clothes tub mounted on an outer shaft for rotation therewith and having an agitator disposed in said tub for movements therein and supported on an inner shaft disposed coaxially with said rst shaft, a mechanism comprising a collar on the lower end ofusaid inner shaft and extending below the end of said louter shaft,

means to rotate said collar in predetermined direction, said collar having a portion of cylindrical shape, a sleeve of diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said collar mounted rfor rotation relative to said collar and in abutting relation with said portion thereof', mounted for rotation lwith said sleeve and extending axially of said shafts, a coil spring tending in the unstressed condition to assume a configuration of smaller diameter than said sleeve` and mounted to encircle said portion of said collar and said sleeve, whereby one end of said spring may be held against rotation to lunwind said spring and release the driving engagement between said collar and said sleeve, a catch plate mounted for rotation with said one end of said spring and having an abutment facing forwardly when rotated in said direction, a drum mounted on said outer shaft, a clutch band wrapped about said drum :and attached at one end to said arm to cause said band to tighten about said drum when said arm is rotated in said predetermined direction, a brake band mounted .about said drum, a support arm attached to one end of said brake band, a crank arm extending in an axial direction relative to said drum and attached to the other end of said brake band selectively to tighten said brake band, said crank arm having a section extending radially of the axis of said an arm shafts and operable to be engaged Yby saidcatch plate,- and means selectively operable to rotate said crank arm in direction to tighten said brake band or to release said crank arm.

l0. In a laundering machine of the type having :a clothes tub mounted on an outer vertical shaft for rotation therewith and having an agitator disposed in said tub for movements therein and supported on an inner vertical shaft disposed coaxiallynwith said rst shaft, a mechanism comprising a stub shaft mounted coaxially with said shafts, means to rotate said stub shaft, a Amemb er of resilient material seated on said stub shaft and said inner shaft tol isolate said stud shaft from vibrations impartedV to said inner shaft, elements to sustain said outer shaft from said inner shaft, and a control mechanism selectively 'operable to drive said outer lshaft from said inner shaft orfreleasesaid outer shaft.

1l. Ina laundering Amachine of the type having a clothes tub mounted on an outer vertical shaft for rotation therewith and having an agitator disposed in said tub for movements therein andsupported on an inner vertical shaft disposed coaxially with said first shaft, a` mechanism comprising a stub shaft mounted coaxially with said shafts, means to rotate saidstud shaft in preden termined direction, a, collar mounted on the end of said inner shaft, a cup shaped member of resilient material seatedon said studshaft and said collar to isolate said stub -shaft from vibrations imparted to saidwinner shaft, a sleeve of substantially the diameter of said collar and rotatably supported in abutting relation thereto, clutch elements interposed between said sleeve and said outer shaft, a Ycoil spring tending in the unstressed condition to assume a configuration of smaller diameter than said sleeve and mounted to encircle said collarY and said sleeve, whereby one end of said springI may be held against rotation to unwind said spring and release the driving engagement between said collar and said sleeve, landnelements selectively operable to engage or release saidk end of said spring to drive or release said outer shaft.

12In a laundering machine of the type havingalclothes tub mounted on an outer vertical shaftforjrotation therewith and having an agitatordisposed in saidtub for movements therein and supported on an inner vertical shaft disposed coaxially Withsaid first shaft, a mechanism including a drum mounted on said first shaft, a brake band wound about saiddrum and selectively operable frictionally tov oppose rotations thereof, a clutch band -wound about said drum and selectively `operable frictionally to drive said first shaft, andelements operable in one condition to engage said brake band to oppose rotations of .said drum andy in another condition to engage said clutch band to .drive said drum.

' DAVID A. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES v'PATENTS Number Name Date 1,629,098 Drexler May 17, 1927 1,699,838 Georg June 22, 1929 2,384,903 Ferris Sept. 18, 1945 2,510,653 Pepper June 6, 1950 

